“Flavorful Lemon Chicken Soup with Orzo Pasta”

Simple and scrumptious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup brimming with succulent chicken, fresh veggies, and leafy greens all simmered in a richly flavored broth! Easily prepared in a single pot for a comforting weeknight meal that the entire family will adore!

There’s nothing like a warm, cozy soup on a brisk day, and this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe ticks all the right boxes! Nutritious, flavorful, and I absolutely enjoy how the orzo absorbs all that delectable lemony herb flavor so leftovers taste even better the next day. Think of chicken noodle soup, but with a twist! Our entire family adores this soup, and it always satisfies whenever someone is under the weather or feeling a bit ill.

Why You’ll Adore This

• Vibrant lemony broth that enhances the coziness of this soup!
• Nutritious, filled with vegetables, tender orzo, and shredded chicken.
• Prepared efficiently in just 30 minutes.
• Single pot usage simplifies cleanup.

Ingredients You’ll Require

• onion, carrots, and celery – creates the ultimate savory foundation for soups.
• garlic – this really elevates the taste and is an absolute necessity in this soup!
• chicken broth – I opted for low-sodium chicken broth, but vegetable broth or any stock in your pantry works just as well.
• chicken – I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts that cook directly in the soup, but skinless chicken thighs are a great alternative. You can also utilize shredded rotisserie chicken or any leftover chicken or turkey you might have to save time.
• orzo – orzo pasta is petite, rice-shaped pasta that cooks rapidly and possesses the enchanting quality of absorbing all these wonderful flavors! If orzo isn’t available, any small pasta or even rice is applicable in this dish.
• leafy greens – I included kale, which is packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients for your health, along with some fresh parsley. Spinach is also an excellent addition.
• lemon juice + zest – this brightens the soup and imparts a fresh flavor.
• seasonings – a blend of dried oregano, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.

How to Prepare Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

The wonderful aspect of this lemon chicken soup is that everything converges within just 30 minutes through a few straightforward steps! Here’s the way I prepare it:

• Sauté the vegetables. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or soup pot over medium-high heat and sauté onion, celery, and carrots until tender, about 5 minutes. Next, include the garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
• Allow the soup to simmer. Incorporate the chicken broth, chicken, and seasonings, bringing it to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and let the soup simmer for around 15 minutes.
• Add the orzo. Introduce the orzo and cook for another 10 minutes, until the orzo is al dente and the chicken is tender enough to shred.
• Incorporate kale and lemon. Remove the chicken, chop or shred it, return it to the pot together with the lemon juice, lemon zest, and kale leaves. Mix everything well.
• Serve and savor! Ladle soup into bowls, topping with fresh parsley, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and seasoning with more salt and pepper, as desired.

Prepping and Storage

To Store: Leftovers can be stored in your refrigerator in a sealed, airtight container for up to 5 days. You may find that the orzo soaks up much of the broth as the soup sits, but you can easily add broth as needed when reheating.

To Freeze: If you plan to freeze it, let the soup cool completely first, then store it in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, allow the soup to thaw entirely in the refrigerator, then warm it up in a pot on the stove or reheat individual servings in the microwave.

More Delicious Soup Recipes

I hope you all delight in this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, and if you enjoy this as much as we do, please drop me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love to see all your delicious recreations!